Minister Karakachanov: There are no results without social dialogue

Today the Ministry of Defense, Independent Syndicates of Defense Federation “Bulgarian Army” and National Syndicate “Defense” signed a new collective labor agreement that will enter into force on January 01, 2018.

The agreement regulates the labor and social insurance relations and the issues relevant to the living standards of civilian employees– members of the Independent Syndicates of Defense Federation “Bulgarian Army” and National Syndicate “Defense” – who work under employment contracts. Currently available benefits related to the social status of civilian employees at the Ministry of Defense remain unchanged. The new provisions of the agreement are relevant mainly to the re-appointment of civilian employees, additional remuneration for PhD and DSc/Dr. habil academic degrees, single payment of travel expenses in case of re-location of the army unit, at which the civilian employees are employed or in cases of their re-appointment in a different city upon initiative of the employer etc.

“There is no way to achieve results without normal dialogue” said the Minister of Defense Krasimir Karakachanov after the signing of the agreement. According to his statement – the ministers will change, but the dialogue shall continue in order to guarantee the interests of all people who are employed in the system of the Ministry of Defense.

“We have an opportunity jointly, under conditions of social cooperation, to work for achieving of good results in the next two years” added Todor Vodenov, Chairperson of National Syndicate “Defense”.

“At the moment we have good social dialogue at the Ministry of Defense, which is proven by the fact that we have reached an agreement on several key issues. The first one is the signing of this collective labor agreement and an agreement relevant to civil servants. Second – we support one very important position on personnel policy with regard to employment of retired people. The subject is topical and we have an agreement on it. Third – the meetings and conversations relevant to TEREM, where we expect to sign a collective labor agreement in the beginning of the next year” stated Georgi Bratovanov, chairperson of the Independent Syndicates of Defense Federation “Bulgarian Army”.

Crashed WW II Military Aircraft Found Near a Bulgarian Village

On 18th May 2018, the Bulgarian Air Force announced on their website further information in relation to the unique operation for dragging out the remains of a crashed WW II military aircraft, found accidentally during routine draining works within а swampy terrain near the village of Maritsa, Bulgaria.

The operation has started on 11th May 2018 and will continue till the task is completed. It is being performed with the joint efforts of the Bulgarian Air Force and Land Forces, the Military Police Service and the Military Medical Academy, as well as with the coordination activities on behalf of the Joint Forces Command

After orders of the Defence Minister, Krasimir Karakachanov, and the Commander of the Bulgarian Air Force, Major General Tsanko Stoykov, a working group led by Colonel Kalin Tsenov are continuing the works on the recovery of the found military aircraft, which, as of the moment, is considered to be Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 – a German World War II fighter aircraft.

Messerschmitt Bf 109, Photo credit: Wikipedia

It is a very important finding for Bulgaria, because the found fighter appears to be the “biggest physical trace of the heroism of the Bulgarian fighter-pilot, who have given their lives defending the Bulgarian sky during the World War II,” stated from the Bulgarian Air Force.

As of the moment, it has been discovered the following aircraft parts, which are considered to be of impotance: an engine Db 605, a propeller hub, barrel of a 20 mm MG 151/20 weapon, approximately 150 aircraft catridges and links, and various units and parts of the aircraft, bearing authentic factory numbers.

All gathered parts will be handed over to the National Museum of Military History, where they will be prepared for exhibiting to the public. The aircraft and its engine were identified with the help of lovers of aviation history.

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The Ministers of Defence of the EU Member States Meet in Sofia

The Ministers of Defence of the EU member states meet in Sofia, announced from the Bulgarian Ministry of Defence.

The two-day Informal Meeting starts today, 4th May 2018, and is part of the official calendar of the Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. The meeting will be hosted by the Minister of Defence, Krasimir Karakachanov and besides the EU Defence Ministers, representatives of the United Nations, NATO, the European Commission, the European Union Military Committee, the EU Military Staff, and other EU authorities will be also attendants.

Some of the topics that will be discussed are the major activities of the European Defence Agency, the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO), the Action Plan on military mobility, and the perspectives for crisis management.

Within the Informal Meeting it will be also held a session of the European Defence Agency.

On Friday, 4th May, the Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy /Vice-President of the European Commission Federica Mogherini will welcome officially the Heads of the Delegations at Boyana Residence at 7:30pm, after which a photo of the participants in the Informal Meeting will be taken at 8:10pm.

On Saturday, 5th May, at 7:30am, the Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov will welcome the Heads of the delegations in the National Palace of Culture (Entrance A6). After the working sessions, there will be a press conference, hold by the Minister of Defence of Bulgaria, Krasimir Karakachanov, and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, at Hall 6 of the National Palace of Culture, starting at 12.15pm (noon).

The access to Boyana Residence and the National Palace of Culture for the above mentioned activities will be allowed only to accredited representatives of the media.

Bulgaria Will Pay the First Instalment for Repair of the MiG-29s. The Atlantic Council Disputes the Signed Contract

Today, at a regular meeting of the Council of Ministers, the Republic of Bulgaria approved the payment of the first instalment of BGN 26 million for repair of the Bulgarian MiG-29s.

The money is foreseen in the budget of the Ministry of Defence for repair of the aircrafts in question in accordance with the signed agreement between the Bulgarian country and the Russian company RSK MiG.

In its entirety, the financing in question should provide Bulgaria with execution of the undertaken engagements for air defence and implementation of the NATO’s collective defence mechanisms and the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) of the European Union.

Today it became clear that the contract with the Russian Federation is being disputed by the Atlantic Club. In accordance with the Organization whose members are lots of military specialists and other experts, there are particular texts that are in favour of the Russians. For example, it is left to RSK MiG to define what the deadlines for execution of the activities under the contracts will be, regardless of the priorities of the Ministry of Defence. Aviation experts, including the president Rumen Radev, disputed the scope of the order by indicating that the purchase of new machinery shall be considered as a priority.

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No Bulgarian Service Members Injured in Kabul Bombing

No Bulgarian service members were injured on Sunday, 22nd April 2018, in the explosion in the Afghan capital Kabul. This was said by the National Commander of the 35th Rotating Bulgarian Military Contingent in Afghanistan – Colonel Georgi Margitin, reported the Bulgarian News Agency (BTA).

The explosion took place at quite big distance from the base where the Bulgarian service members are deployed in support of the NATO’s Resolute Support mission.

Since the start of the registration process on 14th April for elections scheduled for October in Afghanistan, this is the first attack in Kabul against a voter registration centre, outside which a bomber blew himself up on Sunday, 22nd April. At least 57 people were killed and 119 were injured, but the total numbers would probably rise. Nearby cars and buildings were also destroyed.

Responsibility for the attack has been claimed by ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria).

A month ago on 21st March there was another attack in Kabul. The victims then were over 30, and the injured people – at least 70. The responsibility for the attack then was also claimed by the Islamic State.

The attack on 22nd April is reported to be the deadliest attack in Kabul since January when 100 people were killed by explosives hidden in an ambulance.

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